Aboriginal Arts Education Program

 

What is the Aboriginal Arts Education Program?

As a new component within the Aboriginal Cultural Initiatives Program, the Aboriginal Arts Education Program will provide financial assistance for culture based arts education, training and mentorship initiatives in order to enhance individual and community artistic development and to promote and preserve Aboriginal culture and heritage.

What is the deadline?

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and should be submitted a minimum of eight weeks in advance of the project/event.

Who can apply?

Eligibility is limited to Aboriginal service providers - organizations serving Aboriginal individuals, groups or communities. Funding will be used to support Arts education, training and skills development initiatives, delivered individually by, or through, partnerships with: community arts organizations, community service organizations, schools, training centres and professional arts organizations. Priority will be given to mentor-based initiatives and to applications that demonstrate the highest degree of community interaction, cultural impact and youth participation. (Artist/mentors include but are not limited to: musicians, dancers, crafts persons, writers, storytellers, visual artists, media artists, and theatre artists).

Projects are eligible for a grant of up to a maximum of $5,000.00 for costs relating to instructor/mentor fees; instructional materials; technical production costs (rental fees only); traditional practices such as gifts for elders, tobacco for ceremonial purposes, and honoraria.

Project Criteria

• The project must be undertaken by, or in partnership with, an incorporated, not-for-profit corporation/jurisdiction or under the auspices of an organizing committee.

• The project must not be eligible for ongoing financial assistance through other provincial government programs.

• Artistic and cultural activities may involve contemporary and/or traditional cultural arts practices and disciplines; performing, literary, media, and visual arts.

• Proposals must clearly demonstrate understanding of the value of the mentorship approach in teaching traditional and contemporary arts skills, career development and advancement, arts business practices and their role in instilling elements such as arts appreciation, imagination and creativity for learners.

• In order to preserve and promote Aboriginal culture and heritage, the creative works produced must reflect the Aboriginal context.

• The instructional activities should allow the learners to experience, explore and understand the creative process.

• For projects with a mentorship component, the artist/mentor must demonstrate a commitment to working with learners and the Aboriginal community to foster arts and cultural development.

Outcome Criteria

• Proposals must clearly demonstrate how the project will assist in fostering the growth of individuals and Aboriginal arts and culture in the community.

• The instructional activities should foster the transmission of indigenous cultural knowledge and practices by exploring possibilities for linking the past and present.

• The artistic vision and process of the proposed arts education experience must support the learning experience.

• The arts education initiative should provide an opportunity for the learners to showcase creative works produced whenever possible.

• Demonstrate measurable outcomes e.g. level of participation, hours of instruction, and number of creative works produced.

Ineligible Applications and Funding Requests

Capital expenses, equipment purchases, printing, long distance/fax charges and costs incurred before the start of the project; funding support for prize money, food and beverage costs.

What is the funding formula?

Successful applicants are eligible to receive a grant, for eligible costs, of up to a maximum of $5,000.00. Most grants will be awarded in the range of $1,000.00 to $3,000.00. Grants in excess of $3,000.00 will be dispersed with 75% of the commitment flowing upon Ministerial approval and the remaining balance provided after the project is completed and upon receipt of a final report.

What other services are available?

Consultation services are available to assist community organizations in the planning, development and submission of their proposals.

How do you apply for a grant?

• Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and should be submitted a minimum of eight weeks in advance of the project/event.

• The proponent must submit a proposal with a description outlining the details of the proposed arts education project, and community involvement as well as a board/committee approved budget. Budgets must clearly indicate amounts of financial and in-kind support provided by local governments, businesses and/or the community.

• The proposal should demonstrate the applicant's ability to successfully conduct the proposed arts education project. This may be accomplished by developing an application proposal in partnership with an identified artist representing an Aboriginal community and who has cultural knowledge and skills as well as a keen interest in working with communities to enhance arts and cultural development.

• If any of the following information is available, it must be included with the application: mission statement, goals and objectives, bylaws, constitution, policy statements, history of the organization and examples of successful past projects.

• The application proposal should include the artist(s) background, qualifications, and achievements and statement of commitment to the artist/mentor approach.

• Incomplete applications will cause processing delays.

Conditions

• A narrative and financial report (with the relevant receipts) on the project must be submitted within six weeks after the event or by the date noted in the notification letter. Failure to submit a final report will cause delays in the application process and may result in ineligibility for future consideration under the program.

• Meeting the criteria and eligibility requirements does not guarantee funding. Applications are reviewed on individual basis and are subject to availability of funds.

• The proponent must agree to contribute to a portion of the costs associated with the proposed arts education project.

• Projects may support curriculum but may not be used to develop curriculum or to replace regular art instructors/teachers.

• Assistance will not duplicate support provided through other Arts Branch programs.

• Qualifying organizations may only apply for one grant per year.

• A separate application must be made to the program for new projects and each time the project is renewed on an annual basis. Previous funding from the program does not guarantee year to year funding.

• The event must incorporate an acknowledgement of the Department's support.

Review and approval

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis. Applicants will be notified in writing regarding the result of their application. Notification will normally take place within four weeks of the receipt of the application.

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